Extra Crispy & Crunchy Halloumi Cheese Fries

Cut the halloumi into thick strips, approximately 1 cm wide. No need to worry about them being exactly even - that's the beauty of homemade fries! From my experience, thicker fries tend to hold their shape better and offer much more of the delicious cheese flavor when bitten into.

In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This seasoned flour coating will give your fries an extra kick of flavor and a perfectly crispy exterior. For a spicier version, I sometimes add a bit of chili powder!

Roll the halloumi strips in the flour mixture until they are fully coated. I've found that pressing the mixture onto the cheese ensures that it sticks better.

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan until it reaches about 180°C. If you don't have a kitchen thermometer, test the oil by dropping a small piece of bread in it. If it sizzles and browns within a minute, your oil is hot enough.

Carefully add the halloumi strips to the hot oil using a slotted spoon. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. The fries should be golden brown and crispy, generally about 1-2 minutes per side depending on the thickness. Stay vigilant as they can turn from golden to burnt rather quickly!

Remove the fries from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on kitchen paper to drain the excess oil.

Serve your Crispy Golden Halloumi Fries hot, garnished with fresh mint leaves and your preferred dip. I’ve found that they pair excellently with a cool and tangy tzatziki or a spicy sriracha dip.